if the cpu cooler that you are applying, is the one that came with the chip, it should have some already applied. if you using a previously used cooler, then you will need to reapply. by the question, i assume that you are using the one that came with the chip, and in that case, you dont need to put any on, unless it simply wasnt applied from the factory. look at the bottom of the cooler, you should see gray spots in the center if its there.